AquaPoro Technologies Inc.
UNITED STATES
Mr. Kyle E. Cordova is a globally recognized materials chemist and innovation leader dedicated to using science for sustainable development. He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of AquaPoro Technologies, Inc., a company pioneering atmospheric water-harvesting technologies that extract clean drinking water from air using advanced porous materials. AquaPoro’s devices aim to provide safe water access in water-scarce regions, including refugee camps and underserved communities. The innovation was featured in UNICEF’s Innovation 30 as one of the world’s most promising climate resilience technologies.
Prior to AquaPoro, Mr. Cordova served as Executive Director for Scientific Research at Jordan’s Royal Scientific Society, and as Senior Assistant for Scientific Affairs to HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, where he championed research capacity-building and science policy in the Middle East. He previously held the role of Associate Director at the Berkeley Global Science Institute and was a senior researcher in Prof. Omar Yaghi’s laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, contributing to global efforts in reticular chemistry and materials for energy and environmental applications.
Mr. Cordova has published over 55 peer-reviewed papers, including in Nature and Science journals, with more than 22,000 citations. He is a recipient of the UK Royal Academy of Engineering’s Leaders in Innovation Fellowship, recognizing his entrepreneurial contributions to solving global water challenges.
He holds a Master’s degree in Inorganic Chemistry from UCLA and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Political Science from San Diego State University. Mr. Cordova continues to advise institutions and mentor young scientists globally, with a focus on translating scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact.
Thirsting for Innovation – How Machines with Porous Materials are Creating a New Source of Water
Kyle E. Cordova1,2
1Department of Innovation, AquaPoro Technologies, Inc., San Diego, California
2School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
This talk examines the integration of advanced reticular materials with innovative device engineering for efficient atmospheric water harvesting systems. Through the rational design of porous frameworks at the molecular level, we've developed materials that effectively capture moisture even in extremely low humidity environments. The presentation will highlight how these specialized materials are incorporated into passive, active, and adaptive harvesting machines that optimize the water extraction process through intelligent cycling between adsorption and desorption phases. Our latest device technology features sensor-based environmental monitoring that enables real-time adaptation to changing atmospheric conditions, significantly improving water production efficiency while reducing energy consumption. Field testing across desert regions has demonstrated the resilience and reliability of these systems under challenging conditions. This research illustrates how the synergistic combination of materials science and engineering can create practical technologies to address water scarcity through sustainable, decentralized solutions that require minimal infrastructure.
